Stay enthused

I recently visited a ward in Corona, Calif. The main theme of the sacrament meeting that day was on family home evening. The couple who spoke was chosen, I heard, because they faithfully hold family home evening every Monday night. I listened intently, hoping to learn how they were accomplishing this. I was particularly interested when they mentioned they have several children ranging from teenagers to a baby.

I came away impressed with four of their main ideas:

• If their children have other activities (such as a school play or a game) scheduled on Monday evenings, the entire family goes to these events.

• They cancel family home evening only if everyone is sick.

• They limit lessons to 30 minutes. This way everyone will stay enthused week after week.

• They always have a treat, with everyone taking turns being responsible for it. Somehow it is easier to find time for things that end with fun food.

— Jill Heasley, Clovis, Calif.

A way of life

Children need to be reared in a way that family home evening is a way of life. It is as natural as combing hair or brushing teeth. It happens weekly, every week. Because children and parents know that family home evening will always happen, nothing else comes in the way. It is family time and a special time.

Likewise, children should participate in family home evening by giving lessons or taking on special assignments. Together, families grow spiritually, and family home evening turns into a wonderful weekly family experience. — Julie Bates, Centerville, Utah

Involve the children

The very first step in making time for family home evening is to make it a priority! You have to plan at least a week ahead.

Assignments also need to be made early so that family members can prepare lessons. When a lesson has been prepared by a child, then he or she will be excited about giving it and will help to remind you to hold family home evening. — W. Denis Nurmela, Sun City, Calif.

Be committed

Holding family home evening on a weekly basis takes dedication and planning on the part of all family members. Through the years, there have been times when we wondered whether or not it was worth the protests of teenagers. However, there have been lessons, games and desserts shared that I wouldn't trade for anything in this world.

The following ideas have been successful for us during the past 21 years of our marriage:

• Schedule family home evenings as part of your calendaring process. This way, you are assured that the time can't be used for other meetings and activities.

• Prepare ahead of time by using an assignment board to track who has done what.

• Be committed to holding family home evening no matter what.

• Have fun with your family. Family home evening is worth it!

— Patricia S. Perry, Corvallis, Ore.

Just say no

Our family has found a very simple tool for making time for our family home evenings. It's the word "no," as in, "No, I'm sorry. I can't come to that; Monday is my evening with my family."

The children are reminded to get their homework done early: "No, you can't watch TV (or whatever); it's time to get your homework done because it's family home evening." We have found that by explaining that we have time set aside for our family, most others are willing to accept the "no," and many times add a compliment on how wonderful that is and wish they had time for their own families. — Teresa Davis, Gainesville, Fla.

Light up child's eyes

"Carpe Diem!" Seize the day. Make the commitment to hold a family home evening with your family each week. We are all busy people. Parents who skip family home evening to go shopping, watch television or participate in some other activity are communicating to their children where they rank on the stairway of importance. If your child is sitting at the bottom of the stairs, it's time to reorder your priorities.

Your child's eyes will light up each week as you announce that it's time for family home evening. — Reed Markham, West Jordan, Utah

Plan ahead

Plan family home evenings on the calendar. Indicate what will be happening, such as lesson number or special event (i.e. baptism, Easter, topic of family interest or need, family activity). Doing this allows the lesson leader to plan ahead and helps avoid too many spur of the moment "Let's just watch a movie or go to the park for family home evening tonight" activities.

Encourage family members to avoid all other activities on family home evening night, such as baby-sitting, optional school activities and scheduling work, etc. — Beverly Christensen, College Ward, Utah

Stick to it

The key here is just do it! Be spiritually prepared individually and then set the time aside for Monday nights and stick to it.

My thoughts are that if we are truly trying to live this gospel as individuals and trying to help our families do the same, family home evenings will come so very naturally that Monday nights will be looked forward to — just as a family trip to dinner and the movies would be. In addition, you will also find that your family will occasionally be involved in "mini-family home evenings" throughout the week as gospel principles are discussed. — Cindi Van Bibber, West Valley City, Utah